Jerry Neal Derryberry, Sr., age 73, of Kingston, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jerry was born on December 1, 1940, in Jackson, TN to the late Norman Leslie and Bernice Harris Derryberry. The family moved to Oak Ridge in 1943 where his father worked on the Manhattan Project.
Jerry graduated in 1959 from Oak Ridge High School where he was elected “Most Creative” of his senior class. He married the love of his life, Ann McCarty Derryberry, in 1964. His passion in life was his wife and, son Neal and daughter-in-law, Suzanne. He had a great love for the Lord and his church family.
Most of his life he spent training Tennessee Walking Horses in East Tennessee and North Carolina. Jerry also worked for many years at the former Oak Ridge Chrysler Dealership in Oak Ridge.
He was well-known and respected in the Tennessee Walking Horse community and served this organization in many capacities. He was given the distinguished honor to exhibit Tennessee Walking Horses on three different occasions as a prelude at Tennessee Volunteer Homecoming Football Games.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann McCarty Derryberry; his son, Jerry Neal Derryberry, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Suzanne Collins Derryberry, all of Kingston. Other survivors are brother-in-laws, Marvin McCarty and wife, Pat of Oak Ridge; Colon McCarty and wife, Betty of Clinton; Clayton McCarty of Kingston; Joe McCarty and wife, Valerie of Oak Ridge. Many cherished nieces and nephews and a host of special friends.
The family will receive friends 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Central Baptist Church, located at 245 Bailey Road/ Kingston, with memorial service following at 3:00 pm, in the church sanctuary with Rev. Corey Jones and Rev. Charles Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 298, Kingston, TN 37763; or to the charity of choice. Online register book can be signed at www.FrakerFuneralHome.net. Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston is in charge of all the arrangements.